The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-28
MAD lRIsu,IHN.
Fitzgerald 4 Denounced for Preventing
O'Brien's Visit to Philadelphia. %

PHILADELPHIA, May l1.-Much.mobbet
Editor 0'Brion has cancelled his engage
mont to lecture in this city, and Philsdel
phia 1tish.Americans are In tho wlldes
lhroea Of indignation at Judge John Fiz
gerald, Of Lincoln, Neb., President OF the
National League In America.
| They charge him with the responsibility
Of Mr.. 0'Brien's action. ..rE.
The matter was fully discussed by the
Municipal Council Of the Irish National
League ut an executive session held attor
it1 open meeting at Philopatrian Hall.
Chairman Hugh McCaffrey and dele.
gates from sixteen branches in this CITY,
including Robert McWade, State Delegate
Michael j. Ryan, Hugh Donaelly and
Patrick Dunleyy, took part in the discus.
aion.. Since the adjournment Of that
meeting Patrick Fitzpatrick has been
openly charged with unwarrautsble inter.
ference In making false representations to
Mr.. O'Brien, which will result in prevent.
ing his contemplated visit to Philadelphia.
Some time ago Mr.. 0'Brien accepted the
unanimous invitation Of the Municipal
Council TO appear bore on the lecture plat.
form. He fixed the date June ss bes.
suiting his convenience, aud all tho pre-.
parRtions had been perfected for his com.
ing. A monster reception, which included
the renting Of two halls, was planned, and
all preparations were made at coH8idera.
Bile expense by tho committees appointed
for that purpose. Ton thousand or moro
mon had promised to take part In an im.
mense parade. At least 81 900 prof. from
the lecture was guaranteed for the Anti.
Eviction fund. The preparations also con.
tsmplated social demonstrations, In which
a reception by the Journalists Club aud
citizens banquet largely figured.
1t is alleged that during the latter part
Of laet week President Fitzgerald set the
bGii rolling which has crushed the bright
hopes OF the Philadelphia friends OF Ire.
land, by telegraphing. to Mr.. O'Btien in.
a;ructing him not to 70 to Philadelphia, as
there was dissens!on among the Irish
Americans there aud serious division In
the League. The frat intimation Of the
trouble received here vas through a mes-
cage from O'Brien 10 Hugh McCsirfey,
First Vice President o, the National
League, cancelling his engagement with
the Municipal Council.
The blow wss severely fslt by the Phil
ndelphis members OF the Lsagus. John
l0'Donnell, President OF tho Wolin Tone
Branch, took the 6ss. train to Niagara
Falls iu the hope Of securing from Mr.
O'Brien himself a reconsideration OF bis
action. He went fully accredited. On
his arrival there hfr. O'Brien immediately
put him in possession OF the reasons for
his telegram canceling tho engagement.
lie reported the matter in this city and
very lively interchange OF letters and tele.
grams between Philadelphia and Lincoln
tO!loT wed, but Fitzgerald wa5 immoysble,
| Another determined oUset was made in
Mr. O. Brien's direction, and for few
days no wavered in his determination.
The suspense Vas ended yesterday alter.
noon, when Mr.. O'Brien telegrsphed,
finally declining to come to this city.
| Members oil the League freely denounce
fNzSerdld's action in interfering with the
ocGl arrangements OF the branches here
as without justification. They regard it
as direct, il not personal, ntiront to his
immediate subordinate, Hugh MCOafIrey,
who ia PreBident Of the Philadelphia Mil
nic;pal Council, az well IS Firat Vice Pres
ldenL OF tho National Lsague. The mem
6efs claim that the memberahip Of the
League in this city is more harmonious, ia
mors cloaely united to their personal re-
lations, is better organzad as body, and
that the city has contributed more money
10 the Irish cause than any other two
citics in the United States.
President Fitzgerald'e interference can
not b0 explained by any adequate reason
within the knowledge OF any member OF
the League in Philadelphia, but it is sur
mired that the President OF the League
has been miHled by representations made
by come OF the members OF the Free Soil
or Mansyunk branches which were re.
Gently dropped from the council for non.
payment Of dues.